Then in the evening we finally took the motobarca over to Brindisi.  The girls loved it and didn’t want to get off the ship.  After shopping around a bit we took the motobarca back to casale and headed over to Rino’s.  At Rino’s we had homemade focaccia and the girls once again loved playing outside on the terrace.

On Sunday Tonino, Annarita and Geogria stopped by and then for lunch we headed upstairs with zia Isabella over to Massimo’s mother’s house.  We had fabulous lasagna, cutlets (which are fantastic and the girls devour) and then cafe.  Why did I mention the cafe – because we had them in cups labeled “onlydecoration” (one word)!  Then later that afternoon we again took the motobarca to Brindisi where they were celebrating Corpus Domini with a huge procession.  The streets were packed and the city is filling with over a hundred large boats as a Brindisi to Corfu (Greece) race will start on Wednesday.  On the way back to casale we took the long boat ride home so the girls could enjoy some extra time aboard.

Then on Monday we went shopping at the mall and once again had spicy kebobs - these things are seriously deciduous!  Then later in the evening Maria Chaira and Ricardo came over as Antonietta made piadinas and Arlene made fresh guacamole and chips!  YUM YUM!!!

Then yesterday we ate lunch at the beach while the girls played in the ocean.  The water and the weather are starting to warm and the beaches are already starting to fill.  Later in the afternoon, we visited Giovanni, Matia and Rosanna (at her mother’s house).  Rosanna just found out she is pregnant and is staying there a bit to rest.  Then a bit later we had calzone and pizza with zia Rina and zio Pierino down a la courso.  It was a perfect way to spend our last evening together.

Then today we headed over to zia Rina’s for lunch which was brodo with tortelli.  Then Arlene and I played a LONG game of buracco (she let me win for my birthday!) before heading over to Tonino’s.

Tonino shares my birthday (or since he’s older, I guess I share his) and he and I both share my grandfather’s name due to our birthday (Nonno’s death).  Tonino had homemade all kinds of pizza and Arlene had made a peach crisp.  The food was fantastic and the girls loved playing with Giorgia and Maria Chaira.

Meanwhile, all the adults loved listening to the jokes and stories of the mother of wife of Tonino’s-wife’s-brother (I think I got that right, but it makes no sense written out).  She is 85 years old and was the life of the party.  Everyone was huddled around her as she told story after story.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone (maybe other than Oberg) tell a story with more animation.

While both Sofia and Isabella got new outfits (sweat suits that they can wear home on the plane) from Teresa and both immediately put them on.  Then at the end of the night Giorgia gave Isabella one of her dolls.  Ella was ecstatic and at the end of night said “Mom, I can’t believe it!”

The food was fantastic, but the best part of the day was walking the few steps down to the ocean.  Isabella loves to watch the boats as Sofia tries to dive into the water.  Rino marveled at how “forte” Sofia is, as she isn’t afraid of anything.  We also took a photo next to fountain where I remember getting water many evenings as water in the house was only available in the mornings and early afternoons.  It was a picture perfect day and Rino insisted we come back this weekend to eat homemade pizzas.

PS – Check out the girls in the glasses!

PS – Sofia is now a cafe drinker!

When we arrived in Scorrano we were greeted by Stefania, her in-laws, her sister-in-law and her nephew (her husband is in Lebanon until October as he is in the Italian military).  The house has been newly refinished and is absolutely gorgeous!  Everything is brand new, first glass, perfectly clean and very stylish.  Oh and while we were there, fireworks were set off as Lecce won their big soccer game and advanced to Serie A!

After lunch we headed to Otranto and loved the little city.  The day couldn’t have been any nicer, as we walked in and out of all the small shops.  We had gelato and once again Isabella only wanted to eat the cafe flavor.  She is now having a  bit of  espresso every morning and with the exception of her pale skin is really becoming Italian.

After Otranto we headed home and for dinner Antonietta made us piadinas.  There were AWESOME!  I’m hoping Arlene learns how to make them, because they’re my new favorite food – right up there with the piccante kebob!

Around 6pm Giovanni picked us up and took us for a nice scenic drive around casale and porticciolo.  Then headed into Brindisi and walked the corso while the kids watched the boats go by.  Isabella is in LOVE with boats and wants to stop and watch every one.  Today there was even a 9 decker cruise ship leaving the port just as we arrived.

We then got gelato and the same shop where Tom Cruise got his last year.  Can you guess what Ella’s favorite flavor was?  Yup, cafe!  Then after a nice passeggiata we picked up some pizzas and headed over to Giovanni’s house.  The girls absolutely LOVED playing with Mattia and all his toys.  Sofia’s favorite toy was the duck – which she can now say.  They played so much that by the end of the night, Ella told us she was tired and ready for bed – she also told Mattia to not make a mess because she had to get some sleep!

Afterwards, we went shopping at the OVS where Arlene was mistaken for an Italian and we bought the girls each a pair of shorts.  Then for dinner we headed over to Mimino and Antonietta’s (Antonietta of Mimino) and I had potatoes with muscles, while the girls had pasta al burro.  Everything was fantastic and we’ve never seen Ella eat so much!  She was so good twisting her fork and eating the spaghetti.

In addition to the food, we tried wine and aranciata – it was shockily good.  However, after dinner I had Jack Daniels straight – that stuff nearly killed me – I think rubbing alcohol would’ve been better!

First up however was a Mexican “antipasto” – guacamole, fresh salsa and freshly made chips.  It was a huge hit!  The day before Antonietta told us she wouldn’t eat anything with an avocado and tonight she told us she wants to back the iperCoop to get another tomorrow!  Then Arlene made the fajitas and Massimo and zia Isabella loved them – Antonietta however could taste the cumin in the fajita mix which only allowed her to eat one – Massimo had 3 or 4!

As the night was ending, Isabella started to talk more Italian and now often babbles thinking she is speaking Italian.  In fact, when Sofia asked for Milk (or as she says Mulk) while at Rino’s, Ella told her it’s not milk, it’s “latte”.  Zio Pierino then drove us home and Isabella cried as they both left, begging them to please stay.

Once home, Sofia decided she was going to sleep in the suitcase.  As you can tell from the photos she loved climbing and hiding in there!

Then we headed over to Giovanni’s house where we saw Matia, Rosanna, Erica, Noemi and Tiziana.  While there the girls quickly warmed up to everyone and loved played with Matia.  In fact, when we left Isabella cried because she wanted to go with Matia rather than with us.

Then once back at Antoinetta’s house, Arlene made chocolate chip cookies.  They loved them and were an instant crowd favorite!

Yesterday, Teresa, Mimino and family all came over for a visit.  The girls went to everyone as they’re starting to become less shy.  A funny little story was that while Mimino was here, he tried to talk English to Isabella – what did he say you ask?  I believe the exact quote was “cheeseburger, coca cola, you understand”. 

Then later in the evening Ida and Nico came over (friends of Antonietta’s we had met before) and we had dinner together.  The next day we shopped at the IperCoop were we received a “gift” of 40% off diapers and shopped for the ingredients to make fajitas.

Around 4pm zia Rina came over and we headed to Gabriella’s.  Sara and Giorgia (her daughters) had certainly grown, but there personalities remained the same.  Sara is the life of the party and took us throughout the house and on a long walk to show us the entire neighborhood.  Afterwards, I couldn’t help take a photo inside Mino’s pickup and inside Gabriella’s old car we used to drive around in now 20 years ago.  I used to always say I could drive the car from the backseat and from the photos you can see this is pratically true.

After leaving we headed to Romanelli’s and once again they proved victorious!  The frittelle were perfect and I nearly ate 3 myself.  Then we hurried back to Antonietta’s to watch the Champions League final soccer match between Inter Milan of Italy and Bayern Munich of Germany.  Italy proved victorious with a 2-0 victory!  We then called grandma and grandpa with Skype on the iPhone free of all charges!  Skype rocks!